WASHINGTON, DC - The Senior Executives Association strongly endorses the reorganization of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) as a long overdue government modernization effort that will improve Federal human capital practices and greatly enhance the ability of the Federal government to compete in the 21st Century war for talent and secure the best and brightest public servants.

“Since 2001, GAO has listed human capital challenges as a ‘high risk issue’ facing the Federal government. Both the proposed structural streamlining – including the elevation of OPM to within the Executive Office of the President – and the added emphasis on OPM’s core functions of providing human capital policy and oversight solve many problems that have for nearly two decades plagued Federal human capital processes and practices,” said SEA President Bill Valdez. “Every major corporation in America has a C-Suite human capital office for a reason: it is a core business function that supports operating units and enables those operating units to be more effective and efficient.

“OPM’s current structure prevents it from being the expert consultative human capital office the Federal government desperately needs. SEA is eager to work with the Administration, Congress and other key stakeholders to fully implement this bold new vision for human capital,” Valdez concluded.

“The General Services Administration (GSA), in coordination with the Internal Revenue Service, has issued guidance authorizing federal agencies to reimburse relocation expenses when an employee is transferred from one official station or agency to another for permanent duty. It also clarifies the requirements of changes to the federal tax code to reduce income tax withholdings from 25 to 22 percent.

"The bulletin gives agencies consistent guidance for covering ‘substantially all’ relocation transactions not previously subject to federal taxes and is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2018. This bulletin will serve as the policy document agencies should rely on for clear interpretation of the updated tax law until GSA issues an amendment to the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR).

Washington, D.C. – The Senior Executives Association (SEA) issued the below statement following today’s release of a bipartisan letter sent to GSA Administrator Emily Murphy and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin by Senators Mark Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA). The letter is in response to the recent revelation that, “as a result of changes in the tax code” made pursuant to the recent tax reform legislation, many federal employees have faced unexpected and potentially ruinous tax bills.

SEA is the professional association for career members of the Senior Executive Service (SES) and equivalent positions. SEA is not only the voice of the SES through a strong advocacy program, it empowers senior leaders across government by providing the tools, resources and connections they need to succeed in the 21st century.

SEA's membership spans across government agencies, missions and functions, giving SEA a unique whole of government perspective and the ability to connect to the skills, tools and people (both public and private sectors) that senior leaders need. SEA members receive access to research and news, strategic networks, and connections to the good practices across government that they may not receive on the job.

Above all else, SEA is guided by dedication to public service and to helping career federal leaders better serve the American people.

Washington, D.C. – The Senior Executives Association released the following statement in response to today’s release of the results of the Department of Interior Office of Inspector General’s investigation into the 2017 relocation of dozens of senior executives within DOI’s Executive Review Board (ERB), which prompted widespread accusations of potential discrimination on the bases of political affiliation, gender, career status, and race.

“Today’s report by the Department of Interior Office of Inspector General confirmed what SEA and many career executives at the agency have long suspected about the Department’s decision to reassign 35 senior executives in 2017,” said SEA President Bill Valdez. “The agency did not comply with legal requirements; ignored regulatory guidance; and had no documented plan, methodology, or real business case that justified their actions.”

SEA connects its members to the networks, opportunities and resources that help them succeed. SEA also provides a forum for its members to engage in policy discussions on critical government management challenges and opportunities. Through membership, SEA members are part of the movement to transform government for the 21st century and to empower senior leaders to drive change.

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Through strategic connections, insight into cutting-edge practices and resources, career advancement tools, and thought leadership, SEA helps its members build a “Leadership Profession” within the federal government to ensure that the experience of senior career leaders is used in new ways to promote a stronger and more effective government.

SEA membership options are available to career SES and equivalent positions, retired SES and aspiring leaders (GS-12 through GS-15). Click below for information about eligibility and membership categories.